Fire-escape



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Jr MAUGREGOR.

'PIRE ESUAPE. 1 No. 392,278. Patented Nov. 6,1888.

V I v 7 W a meme) QXQTW W mmeeeeg 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. MAG GREGOR.

' FIRE- ESCAPE.

No. 392,278. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

Lillwgnphor. wanin o c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MACGREGOR, OF DES MOINES, IOWVA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,278, dated November 6, 1888.

Application filed March 5, 1888. Serial No. 266,230. (No model.)

To all whom it mar concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MAOGREGOR, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Des Moines, in the county of Folk and State of Iowa, have invented a new and use ful Hydraulic Fire Escape and Extinguisher, of which the following is a specification.

My object is to use hydraulic force for elevating and supporting an endless carrier to convey persons and materials from a burning a building, and also to distribute water from the top of the escape to extinguish a fire.

My invention consists in the construction and combination of a tubular and extensible frame, an endless carrier, mechanism for adjusting the frame and elevator, areel for bunching the elevator, and hose for conveying water, with a portable base or carriage, as hereinafter fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side View, and Fig. 2 a top view, of the frame and base. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view looking outward from the line at x, and Fig. 4 is a corresponding view looking in the opposite direction from the line a z inFigs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 shows the complete device in position as required for practical use.

A represents a platform and base, that is preferably mounted upon trucks to'produce a tractable carriage upon which to mount and carry my operative mechanism. It may vary in size as desired.

B B are metal bearings fixed to one end and on top of the base A, in parallel position, to support the extensible frame.

0 is a tubular axle journaled to the bearings B.

O are tubes of uniform size fixed to the axle C.

O are tubes of smaller diameter telescopically connected with the tubes 0", and O are smaller tubes teleseopicall y connected with the tubes 0 in such a manner that the tubes (1 and O can be inclosed within the tubes 0 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4., to produce a sectional tubular telescopic frame.

D are cross-pieces that connect the outer ends of the parallel tubes 0 O and 0*, and D are rollers in bearers D, formed on or fixed to said cross-pieces.

F represents an endless carrier extended over the rollers D and a roller, D, that is carried in an adjustable frame, G, that slides in bearings fixed to the base A.

G is a rack fixed on the top and center of the base, and G is a toothed wheel on a shaft, G, mounted in the bearings Bin such a manner that the wheel can be rotated thereby to move the sliding frame G, as required, to regulate the tension of the endless carrier F. A pawl and ratchet at the end of the shaft G serves to retain the sliding frame stationary.

H represents a reel or windlass mounted on the bearings B in such a manner that the endless carrier F can be readily wound thereon to facilitate the handling and taking care of the said carrier.

J represents a windlass mounted on the op posite end of the base in such a manner that guys K can be fixed thereto and connected with the tubular frame, as shown in Fig. 5.

L represents a tubular extension from the tubular axle (l, to which extension a hose can be readily attached, as required, to connect the complete device with a hydrant and water-supr y- L is a stop-valve.

m represents a distributing-hose attached to the top end of the tubular frame.

To elevate the tubular frame from a horizontal position to a vertical, I attach a rope to the lower cross-bar, D, extend it over the roller D and then fasten it to the central portion of the Windlass J and wind it upon the Windlass. As the rope is thus shortened and the frame elevated, the guys It will be unwound, as required, to prevent the frame from falling after it passes its center of gravity. To start the elevation of the frame thus consummated by means of the rope and Windlass, hand-power or extraneous force is applied to lift the free end of the frame.

In the practical use of my invention when placed in proper position relative to a burning building, I connect the tubular frame with a hydrant by means of a hose, and then allow water to press into the tubular frame and to extend it upward, as required, to elevate and support the endless carrier, so that persons can be conveyed up and down by means of the carrier, and also, as required, to support a person at the top of the tubular frame, so he can opcrate the hose attached to the top of frame, as required, to throw water upon the fire in the burning building.

To lower the frame, I disconnect itfrom the water-supply and hydraulicpressu re and allow it to empty and to contract, so that it can be compactly extended horizontally upon the base, as shown in Fig. 1.

I am aware that telescopic tubes and frames have been combined with a truck to support a flexible ladder and to convey water; but my manner of constructing a fire-escape by combining a tubular telescopic frame, an endless carrier, mechanism for regulating the tension of the carrier when in use and reeling it when not in use, and mechanism for elevating and supporting the frame and carrier, with a tractable carriage, is novel and advantageous.

I claim as my invention-- 1. A fire-escape and fire-extingl'iishcr comprising a tubular telescopic frame having a fixed bearer at the top end of each section and rollers in said bearings, an adjustable frame carrying a roller at its rear end, an endless carrier extended over said rollers, and mechanism for regulating the tension of the endless carrier, arranged and combined with a tractable carriage to opcratein the manner set forth.

2. The combination of a sectional tubular telescopic frame hinged to a base and provided with fixed roller-bearers and a roller at the top of each section, and an endless carrier, for the purposes stated.

3. The combination of a hinged sectional tubular telescopic frame provided with fixed roller-bearers and a roller at the top of each section, an endless carrier, and mechanism for regulating the tension of the carrier, for the purposes stated.

4. The frame and rack G, carrying the roller D the wheel G on the rotating axle G, the tubular frame composed of the tubes 0, G and G and cross-pieces D, carrying rollers D and an endless carrier, F, arranged and combined upon a tractable carriage, substantially as shown and described, for the purposes stated.

J AMES MAOGREGOR.

\Vitnesses:

THOMAS BRooKE, THOMAS G. ORWIG. 

